Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “Come to Zion,” by D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, Nov 2008, 37.
Thought:
In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion through unity, godliness, and charity.
(D. Todd Christofferson, “Come to Zion,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 37.)
Song:
“High on a Mountain Top,” Hymns, #5.
Scripture:
Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:21)
Object Lesson:
Read as a family Moses 7:18 and look for four ways the Lord describes Zion. (One heart, one mind, dwelt in righteousness, no poor among them.) List these four things on a sheet of paper (or poster board), leaving plenty of room between each item to write more information. Have your family search D&C 82:8–20 for verses that match the four items listed. Write these verses next to the appropriate item as they are found. When they are finished, your sheet of paper may look like the following chart:
Creating Zion
One heart: 14–15, 19.
One mind: 14–15, 19.
Dwelt in righteousness: 10–11, 14– 15.
No poor: 12–13, 17– 19.
Discuss the following questions:
• Which of these principles do you think is most important and why?
• How would you describe what living in Zion would be like?
• What do you think would be the best part of living in Zion?
• What can we do to create Zion in our home?
• What could we do to help our own ward and stake become more Zion-like?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 173.)
Story:
As a young boy growing up in southern Utah, the concepts of Zion were much less clear to me than they are today. We lived in a small town not far from Zion National Park. In church we often sang the familiar words:
Israel, Israel, God is calling,
Calling thee from lands of woe.
Babylon the great is falling;
God shall all her tow’rs o’erthrow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion
Ere his floods of anger flow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion
Ere his floods of anger flow.
In my little-boy mind, I saw the magnificent cliffs and towering stone pinnacles of that national park. Meandering through the high-walled canyons flowed a river of water—sometimes placid, sometimes a raging torrent. You can probably imagine the confusion experienced as this little boy tried to put together the words of the hymn with the familiar surroundings of that beautiful park. Though it was not a perfect fit, lodged in my mind was the impression that Zion was something majestic and divine. Over the years, a grander understanding has emerged. In the scriptures we read, “Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart.”
(Keith B. McMullen, “Come to Zion! Come to Zion!” Ensign, November 2002.)
Activity:
Make the treat together and deliver some to your neighbors or someone who might be lonely.
Refreshment
Peanut Butter Cookies
- 51/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper and set aside. Mix flour, soda, and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside. Cream together butter, shortening, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Then stir in peanut butter. Add flour mixture and stir until well blended. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Using a fork dipped in flour, flatten each cookie slightly in a crisscross pattern. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly golden around the edges. Do not overbake. Makes 5 dozen 3-inch cookies.
(Lion House Christmas, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2006], p. 115.)
To get the PDF version of this lesson, click here.